Jean Pier Poma Rios is an MBA ’25 candidate who recently participated in the Leadership Under Fire course supported by the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership. In his blog below, he writes about how the experience shaped his understanding of leading with courage and integrity.
Leadership is often taught in controlled environments, with theories discussed in classrooms and strategies outlined on whiteboards. But the Leadership Under Fire (LUF) course at the Ivey Business School flips that notion entirely. Over four days, participants are pushed to their physical, mental, and emotional limits in a semi-military-style training experience. The goal? To uncover what leadership truly means when the pressure is on, and nothing else is certain.
Having had the opportunity to take part in this transformative course, I came away with lessons that have reshaped how I think about leadership, not just as a role but as a responsibility. Here are my most meaningful takeaways.
Leadership starts with self-awareness
One of the first things I realized during the course was how much we don’t know about ourselves until we’re put in truly challenging and stressful situations. In those moments, I saw my natural tendencies emerge, how I responded to stress, how I made decisions, and where my strengths and weaknesses lie.
It was humbling, but necessary. I learned that self-awareness isn’t just helpful in leadership, it’s essential. You can’t lead others effectively if you don’t understand yourself first. This newfound understanding has already started shaping how I approach challenges in the MBA program and how I plan to lead in my career.
Delegation and trust go hand in hand
Throughout the course, success hinged on teamwork. Whether it was constructing a shelter, carrying a stretcher through rough terrain, or completing reconnaissance missions, no single person could do it all. I had to rely on my team – and they had to rely on me.
At first, this was difficult. Delegation isn’t about giving orders; it’s about building trust. When the stakes were high, trust became the glue that held our team together.
This insight has stuck with me. In any team setting, whether at school or in the workplace, fostering trust is just as important as having a clear plan.
Character over competency
One of the course’s central teachings was the importance of character in leadership. In high-pressure situations, technical skills and knowledge often take a backseat to character-related behaviours like humility, resilience, and empathy.
There were moments during the course when exhaustion set in, tempers flared, and we struggled as a group. It was in these moments that small acts of kindness, an encouraging word, or someone stepping up to lighten the load, had the biggest impact. Those acts reminded me that leadership isn’t about always having the answers; it’s about showing humanity, especially when it’s hardest to do so.
This realization has changed how I think about leadership. It’s not just about what you do but how you do it, and how you make others feel in the process.
Pressure reveals decision-making
Making decisions in a high-stress environment was one of the hardest parts of the course. With limited time and information, every decision felt like it carried weight. There wasn’t always a perfect answer, but waiting too long to act wasn’t an option either.
Through this, I learned the value of decisiveness. Sometimes, you have to trust your instincts and take action, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. This has been a game-changer for me. While I tend to overanalyze, I now understand the importance of balancing thoughtful consideration with timely decision-making.
Leadership is a shared experience
One of the most surprising lessons from the course was how much emphasis it placed on followership, the ability to support and trust others in leadership roles. In business, we often think of leadership as being the one in charge, but this course showed me that leadership is situational.
Sometimes, the best way to lead is by stepping back and letting others take the reins. This shift in perspective was eye-opening and reminded me that great leaders don’t just lead; they also listen, support, and follow when the situation calls for it.
Pushing beyond comfort
The Leadership Under Fire course was one of the most challenging experiences of my life, but also one of the most rewarding. By stepping out of my comfort zone, I gained a deeper understanding of myself and what it takes to lead in difficult circumstances.
This course wasn’t about mastering theories or frameworks; it was about living the reality of leadership in the most raw and unfiltered way possible. The lessons I learned, about self-awareness, trust, character, and adaptability, are ones I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
If you’re ever given the chance to take part in Leadership Under Fire, do it. It’s an experience that challenges you, shapes you, and leaves you better prepared to lead with courage and integrity.
View more photos from the session.
Leadership Under Fire
The Leadership Under Fire group
Together we stand
Group gathering
Inside work
Friendships made
